Cherubim & Seraphim Church leader warns Tinubu to desist from imposing candidates as Buhari wades into Lagos row

CHERUBIM & Seraphim Church leader Reverend Samuel Abidoye has warned All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to be mindful of the consequences of his attempts to impose a governor on Lagos State as it could set Nigeria on fire.

Over the last week, the Lagos chapter of the APC has been in disarray after Asiwaju Tinubu decided to back Jide Sanyaolu the managing director of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation for governor in next year's elections. All of the 50 local government chairmen in the state signed a petition calling on Governor Ambode to withdraw his second bid term or face impeachment, dividing the party between loyalists of the two camps.

Stepping into the fray, on the sidelines of the church’s summit in Kwara State, Reverend Abidoye warned that Nigeria would be affected if Lagos is on fire. He urged Asiwaju Tinubu and Governor Ambode to avoid any action that will cause crisis in Lagos.

In addition, the cleric also warned against the imposition of candidates by leaders, stressing that the people should be allowed to elect their leaders. Already, President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos are said to have waded into the matter with a view to finding a resolution.

Reverend Abidoye  said: “ Lagos must continue to have peace as the state is strategic to Nigeria. Tinubu should continue to be a stabiliser in Lagos politics and act according to God’s dictates for the benefit of the people.

“Nobody should impose leaders on anybody no matter how powerful you are. You should not forget this fact that you are here today because God allowed you to be there.

“They should not put fire in Lagos as it is the centre of Nigeria. Although Abuja is the headquarters, Lagos is the centre and if there is a fire in Lagos, it will affect every part of Nigeria.”

Already, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, the chairman of the  APC Elders’ Forum, has said the party would not have resolved to hold a primary if it had adopted an aspirant. He added that any endorsement should not be taken to be the party’s position, pointing out that the determination of who would become the party’s candidate would be taken at the primary elections.

Describing the APC as a democratic party, Alhaji Olusi said all aspirants would be allowed a level-playing field. He said the right preparations were being done, expressing optimism that everything would go well during the exercise.

Alhaji Olusi said: “How can we plan to hold a primary to elect our candidate and then adopt somebody? This is the political season and many interesting things happen but I can tell you most of the things that have been reported on the matter are mere speculations and not facts as nobody has directed any adoption.”

One other APC source added: “There are serious moves to end the crisis. Many people, including the president have waded in and it is not yet too late for the issue to be resolved.

“President Buhari, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Oba Rilwan Akiolu are making efforts to ensure that the matter is resolved and Ambode’s second term bid is not terminated."

Another source said there was no problem between Ambode and his political father, Asiwaju Tinubu, but the governor was believed to have drawn the ire of party leaders and key supporters when he allegedly sidelined them from his administration.